We got to the Medici Chapel almost before its closing and, being the last visitors, we were able to feel in silence the majesty of the idea and all the powerful energy transferred by Michelangelo to his unique creation.
The ashes of almost all the Grand Dukes of the Medici family are buried here. The octagonal Chapel of the Princes, which has become a mausoleum for six members of the family, is breathtaking from the stunning interior design: the walls and floor are made of different types of marble, along the walls are the coats of arms of sixteen cities of the Duchy of Tuscany, inlaid with precious stones, mother-of-pearl, corals. The tall structure is topped by a large dome reminiscent of Brunelleschi's famous dome.
Treasures and objects of art that belonged to members of the Medici family are also stored here: old folios hand-copied and ornamented with color drawings, objects of religious worship, attributes of papal power.
The construction of the chapel, which is closely adjacent to the church of San Lorenzo, was initiated by Pope Leo X and Cardinal Giulio de' Medici in 1520. This chapel was to become a mausoleum for two representatives of the Medici - Lorenzo the Magnificent and his brother Giuliano, who was killed during the Pazzi conspiracy in 1478. The images of Giuliano and Lorenzo are embodied in sculptures placed in niches. Allegorical sculptures “Day” and “Night” adorn the sarcophagus of the youngest son of Lorenzo Medici - Giuliano, Duke of Nemours, and “Morning” and “Evening” Michelangelo placed on the sarcophagus the grandson of Lorenzo Medici - Lorenzo, Duke of Urbino. According to the ingenious sculptor, these allegorical statues should remind of the transience of time and life.
On the sarcophagus of Giuliano who died during the conspiracy are the Madonna and Child and the patrons of the Medici family - Saints Cosmas and Damian.
The ashes of almost all the Grand Dukes of the Medici family are buried here. The octagonal Chapel of the Princes, which has become a mausoleum for six members of the family, is breathtaking from the stunning interior design: the walls and floor are made of different types of marble, along the walls are the coats of arms of sixteen cities of the Duchy of Tuscany, inlaid with precious stones, mother-of-pearl, corals. The tall structure is topped by a large dome reminiscent of Brunelleschi's famous dome.
Treasures and objects of art that belonged to members of the Medici family are also stored here: old folios hand-copied and ornamented with color drawings, objects of religious worship, attributes of papal power.
The construction of the chapel, which is closely adjacent to the church of San Lorenzo, was initiated by Pope Leo X and Cardinal Giulio de' Medici in 1520. This chapel was to become a mausoleum for two representatives of the Medici - Lorenzo the Magnificent and his brother Giuliano, who was killed during the Pazzi conspiracy in 1478. The images of Giuliano and Lorenzo are embodied in sculptures placed in niches. Allegorical sculptures “Day” and “Night” adorn the sarcophagus of the youngest son of Lorenzo Medici - Giuliano, Duke of Nemours, and “Morning” and “Evening” Michelangelo placed on the sarcophagus the grandson of Lorenzo Medici - Lorenzo, Duke of Urbino. According to the ingenious sculptor, these allegorical statues should remind of the transience of time and life.
On the sarcophagus of Giuliano who died during the conspiracy are the Madonna and Child and the patrons of the Medici family - Saints Cosmas and Damian.
Translated automatically from Russian. View original
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